Queen’s baton comes to Downing Street ahead of Glasgow 2014
The Queen’s baton comes to Downing Street today, carried by Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and volunteer Molly Pattison from Devon.
David Cameron talks to Olympic boxer Nicola Adams.
Both were selected for their outstanding contribution to sport and services to their communities.
Molly, 16, who is from Tiverton, is also a winner of the new Points of Light volunteering award. Despite serious illness, she fundraised to set up and support the running of a BMX team so that young people in her local area would still be able to enjoy the sport when it was threatened with closure.
Nicola Adams MBE won the first ever Olympic women’s boxing gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She hopes to compete for Team England in Glasgow 2014 – the first time that female boxing has been included in a Commonwealth Games.
A celebratory event for various groups of volunteers, including former Points of Light winners, young people from local sports clubs, Glasgow 2014 volunteers and Molly’s BMX team from Devon, will be held at Downing Street afterwards to mark the occasion.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
Molly and Nicola are both true sporting heroes - their sheer dedication and the huge inspiration they have provided for others to participate in sport is extraordinary.
The baton relay gives the whole country and Commonwealth the chance to share in the excitement of the countdown to Glasgow 2014.
And as the baton travels through London and the Olympic Park, it is a reminder of the huge capacity these world-class sporting events have to capture people’s imagination and how Glasgow 2014 will build on that legacy.
Nicola Adams said:
I’m delighted to bear the Queen’s Baton on June 8 in the build up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. I’m looking forward to being part of such a great event and if selected, to represent Team England in Glasgow this summer.
Molly Pattison said:
I’m honoured to be a baton bearer. It’s a great privilege and I’d be pleased if my story helps people discover a sport.
The Queens Baton Relay is the traditional precursor to the Commonwealth Games. The baton will travel to all 70 Commonwealth nations, making its journey across England en route to Scotland to mark the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
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Last updated 8 June 2014 + show all updates
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First published.